Homesick

[Nira]

This is enemy number one to those who are away from their families, away from where they used to be, away from their comfort zones. And I am one of those who has to tackle this same enemy. When this enemy attacks, peace in the heart is definitely threatened.

I will be here in Dubai for a year this April. During all these months, Homesickness never fails to disturb me. It throbs, it penetrates until it has me hurting and wanting to be back to my normal, familiar existence.

Countless times I feel the urge to fly home. In bed at night or even just walking and waiting at the bus stops I find myself longing to be in my sanctuary, in my private hiding place where I’m at peace and comfort.

But this homesickness should be nothing compared to our longing to be home…. home with the Father again. One of my fave songs by Hillsong,“Home” has this to say:

I want to spend my days
In Your presence, Lord
Bowed before Your throne
In the house of God
Is where I find my peace
It's where I find my

Home is heaven
One day Lord, I will live
In Your courts, You'll find me
In worship at Your feet
Hide me now
In the shadow of Your wings
Where I will be
Where I will be…

Sometimes homesickness upsets me, deeply saddens me and gives me the feeling of unfathomed depression. On the other hand, when I think of being at home again with our loving and gracious Father, this longing to go home to my family inspires me and makes me realize that I am actually homeward bound - to heaven. It encourages me to think that after our life here, there is a very special place that has been prepared for us. John 14:2 says, “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

Definitely, Jesus would not have promised something He did not intend to keep. God is so faithful to us even we have sinned against Him. His love remains and it does not fade. If God is so faithful, we too, should remain faithful. We have to finish the race and this requires commitment, our faithfulness as well. It’s music to our ear when our earthly boss compliments us for a job well done, but how much more if we hear it from the Father and He will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” We are homeward bound and being homesick for now is a small price to pay for the glory that awaits us. Hope we all long for that. God Bless!